Jun 15 Paradise found: lazy beach days in Tulum

After the bright lights and craziness of Vegas and an unfortunate three hour delay in Mexico City, my arrival in Tulum was a much needed and welcome relief. Although I arrived under the cloak of darkness, an immediate sense of peace washed over me. The smell of salty sea air hit my nostrils and in the half light I could see we had arrived somewhere truly special. I couldn't wait to wake up and explore the next day.

Our home for the first three nights of our Mexican vacay was the delightful Be Tulum. Robinson Crusoe would have been pleased as punch to find himself marooned at Be Tulum. An adults only paradise that is situated almost at the end of the beach road, bordering the Sian Ka'an reserve. With just twenty exclusive suites spread throughout five two storey modules, this property is eco-luxury and beach-chic at its very best. The architecture takes its inspiration from the natural surroundings. The rooms feature Brazilian wood floors, natural linens and cowhide rugs with luxe leather directors chairs providing an inviting place to rest awhile. Marble bathrooms with an indoor and outdoor shower are well appointed and all bath products are derived from natural ingredients. Rooms on the ground floor feature a turquoise mosaic tiled plunge pool nestled in the palm fronds and hammocks hanging from the trees invite one to while away the hours. Room 16 and 20 feature rooftop swimming pools and afford 360 degree views of the ocean and neighbouring Sian Ka'an reserve. There is no TV in sight, no phone signal and limited Wi-Fi. Rooms are both air-conditioned and fan cooled. This is truly a place to switch off, relax and commune with nature.

Following the wooden planks that meander throughout the property, you arrive at the two storey restaurant and rooftop bar. An infinity swimming pool sits to the right; strategically placed to peek through the palm trees as the turquoise waters lap at the fine white sand in the distance. Breakfast each morning is taken at wooden tables with directors chairs perched in the sand. Each morning breakfast begins with fresh fruit and a pastry basket with homemade jams, with a range of egg dishes on offer including omelettes, chilaquiles (fried tortilla chips with salsa, avocado, cheese and eggs) and scrambled eggs with refried beans. The beach club offers a range of double lounge beds either in full sun for sun-worshippers or under the cover of a natural canopy. There are weather proof beanbags and blue and yellow Acapulco lounge chairs for socialising.

The restaurant serves up fresh and tasty Mexican classics throughout the day and many of the herbs and vegetables are grown sustainably in the property's vegetable gardens. The eggs are collected fresh each morning from the resident chickens. Everywhere you look there are subtle details; coconuts piled up by the bar just waiting to have their delicious nectar drunk, a lone wooden boat nestled into a palm tree, wooden discs daring guests to 'smile' hang from the trees and chalkboards in the rooftop bar remind guests to 'collect moments not things'. Furniture is haphazard and successfully mixes antique flea market pieces with contemporary white Eames chairs. The staff are friendly, helpful and know enough English to get by, though some basic Spanish phrases certainly wouldn't go astray.

Be Tulum offers a different activity each day, from acoustic music each Tuesday in the rooftop bar as the sun sets to movie nights on the beach on Wednesdays and flamenco nights on Fridays. Saturdays and Sundays give way to DJ beats and more live music. The property has partnered with Yaan Wellness Spa across the road which offers morning treetop yoga each day and a menu of tempting spa treatments and natural healing remedies. Yaan was a gorgeous, healing space and the treetop yoga was one of my favourite experiences from my time in Tulum.

It is hard to put such a special experience into words, so I will let the accompanying images and photo diary further tell the story. Be Tulum is truly paradise found and I cannot wait to go back and spend a week recharging my batteries.